Ford told Engadget that the next version of its Sync system will debut in November, bringing owners with in-depth online vehicle health reports and 911 assist functionality.
We saw a glimpse of these updates back in January at CES 2008, but were only told that it would be available "later this year." The update also brings a stronger integration with Ford's syncmyride.com portal.
But what we haven't seen is Ford Sync v3.0, which Engadget was told is scheduled to debut "sometime in 2009."
The new version of the Sync infotainment system will bring traffic, news, sports and weather to Ford vehicles. The Sync update will be available without requiring navigation or a monthly subscription, and appears to be going head-to-head with Sirius Travel Link.
Sirius Travel Link was unveiled in retail form last year, and subsequently first made available in the Lincoln MKS but is now currently available in all 2009 Fords equipped with the Next Generation Navigation system (with a complimentary 6-month trial subscription).
Sirius was smart in that they integrated Travel Link with the current version of Sync's voice-activated controls - it's a very slick and impressive combination. Hopefully they'll be able to do something similar in the next version.
"Nobody cares what we own"
"Beware of pundits, advisors or bloggers advocating false choices, advises iBiquity chief Bob Struble. I know he means well, and I sure admire his zeal and his pluck... While this is technically true, it misses the entire point of our digital age. Namely, you, my radio friends, are not in charge. The audience - the consumers - are in charge. And they will do what's in their interests, not ours. They will listen where they want, not where we want them to. They'll listen to what they want, not what we push on them. They will do so on devices of their choosing, not ours. They will hear music and information on their timeline, not ours. They will hear it in the fidelity of their choice, not ours. This is not about HD or Internet or WiMax or WiFi or whatever. This is about the migration of control from us to them."
http://www.hear2.com/2008/08/nobody-cares-wh.html
"Chrysler announces wireless Internet access in 2009 models"
"As long predicted in this blog and elsewhere (okay, everywhere), it is inevitable that every new car driving off a showroom lot will eventually be high-speed Internet enabled. And the consequences for the radio industry - both good and bad - are profound... Fourth, that tiny whimper you just heard was the final gasp of HD Radio. Time to move on to the real challenges, radio."
http://www.hear2.com/2008/06/chrysler-announ.html
"BMW's ConnectedDrive brings the whole internet to your car... on EDGE"
"Nevertheless, BMW is gearing up to offer 'unrestricted access' to the web as an option in any new 2008 vehicle, but alas, it's only for European clients at the moment."
http://tinyurl.com/227wuu
What no one in the HD Radio or Sirius camps seems to realize, or admit, is that in-car Internet will antiquate terrestrial HD Radio and Satrad's birds. Sync is just one step away from full-blown, integrated in-dash Internet. There will be no need to subscribe through HD Radio's RadioGuard, or use the birds, anymore.
How does this compete with Sirius. Where is the music, sports, news etc....
Ryan,
Thought your new upgrades were going to stop people like pocketradio from his off topic thread hijacking. He continues to prove he is more than happy to troll and post prior debunked fud. Sure think his posts need to be monitored and removed when they have little to do with the topic and instead everything to do with pocketradio's desperate need to troll and to post fud making himself liable.
Wait -- are we sure it's competitive? Could Sirius not be the data provider here?